ALÉ Spring
ALÉ Spring/Summer clothing – fresh and clean for ’25
Spring is in the air, the sun is out and the mud has gone; time to get the warm weather gear out! Luckily I have some of the ALÉ Spring/Summer collection to try out. While spring-time rides can be delightful and sunny, there’s often a chill first thing. For that reason you’ll want clothing that is adaptable.
ALÉ sent me an outfit, that with a couple of additions, will get you all the way through to autumn. This consists of the following items; Color Block jersey, Sauvage vest and Corsa 2.0 shorts. Color Block and Corsa are part of ALÉ’s Pragma range, while Sauvage is from PR-E. PR-E stands for Pro Racing Experience and as it’s name suggests is derived from ALÉ’s experience working with Pro-Tour teams. It sits just below their tier-topper, R-EV1.
Meanwhile the Pragma range is more of an everyday range, but don’t think that means a drop in quality. Far from it, in all my time reviewing ALÉ clothing, the quality has always been consistently high across all the ranges. What Pragma looks to do is create clothing that is practical and useable for a wide range of riders. ALÉ have made sure that items in the range feature strong zips, reflective details and extra storage. The kind of details I look for in an item that I’m going to using regularly, rather than a ‘race-day’ special.
Corsa 2.0 bibshorts
The Corsa 2.0 shorts have become a regular feature on my derriere! They are just so comfortable, that I always feel cheated if they’re not ready to ride. This is probably mainly down to the Comfort4 pad which has “high-memory padding at contact points“. Which basically means it’s a super-comfortable ride. I weigh 65 kilos and once they’re on I forget all about them; which is what I want from a pair of shorts.
Other reasons include the wide straps that don’t pull or bunch up and the 70 mm Mesh Stability System. This is the wide cuff that keeps the shorts in place without leaving an annoying impression. It also has reflective details running around the bottom of the cuff, for some added visibility.
Color Block jersey
The Color Block gets its name from its simple look, just one solid colour, no fancy designs or patterns. For me this makes matching easy. Ok, maybe that’s not something you spend much time fretting over, but you get a choice of seven, so plenty of options. A big plus point for me is that Color Block is made from a fabric that contains 89% recycled polyester. That creates a soft, silky fabric that feels really comfortable and cool when worn. While the cut isn’t super-aero it isn’t baggy in any way. The sleeves have a raw cut finish, so again, no long-lasting impressions on your arms post ride.
There’s a low cut collar, but not one of those low-plunging ones that should only be seen on the track! While there isn’t a zip guard at the top, there is at the waist, so it shouldn’t rub on your shorts. ALÉ have added an extra loop to the zip that makes it much easier to use. I hate having to fiddle for a tiny zip when wearing gloves, so that little ALÉ logo on a string is appreciated.
There’s a standard set of three pockets around the back, but no secret zipped pocket. They’re plenty big enough for tools, snacks, phone, etc and easy to access. Staying at the bottom of the jersey, you’ll find a silicone band that runs all the way around the jersey. And ALÉ have added a reflective design to the middle one, which will be more noticeable than the one on the front.
Sauvage vest
The gilet – or vest – is one of those useful bits of kit that all cycling wardrobes should have. Small enough to fit in a pocket, putting it on or removing it can make a ride that bit better. Whether it’s to keep the early morning chill off, or making long, fast descents bearable having one makes life better. The Sauvage vest has been my faithful companion this spring. It’s kept me warm as I rode to early morning starts and then stowed neatly away as the riding got serious.
The Sauvage is a lightweight item (90g for my medium) vest, that comes in eight solid colours. The front and rear are made from a three layer, windproof and breathable Windtex membrane. This works really well at keeping the wind off and it also has a DWR coating. I found this quite effective at keeping light rain, or road-spray at bay. The side have a soft waffle-like fabric to help vent some heat as well.
Round the bottom is a silicone gripper consisting of dots surrounding the ALÉ logo. A double ended zip makes controlling your temperature easy. The handy thing with opening from the bottom is that the vest doesn’t fill up with air when half open. That bottom zip also makes it easier to access your jersey’s rear pockets. I often find that fumbling to lift a vest up to get to the pockets with gloves awkward. Popping the bottom zip open makes life just that little bit easier.
When it comes to removing the Sauvage it packs down small enough to fit in your pocket. If you have the time, there’s an internal pocket that it can be stuffed into. That helps keep everything neat and meant I could also fit my arm-warmers in the pocket at the same time.
Despite choosing white and then riding without mudguards on mucky roads, the vest cleans up really well. I’m assuming that this is down to the DWR treatment preventing the dirt soaking in to the fabric. One wash later and it was as good as new, but next time I’ll use mudguards!
ALÉ Spring/Summer
I covered the ALÉ Spring/Summer range at the beginning of the year and now that I’ve used some of it can report back. As usual ALÉ’s clothing has been perfect. I’m fortunate in that it seems to fit me well – as a guide I’m 172cm and 65Kg – which is a big plus. Finding cycling kit that fits properly and with a design that you like is always a problem. With quality clothing being at a premium when it comes to price, you want to make sure it’s going to fit.
And ALÉ’s products are always of a high quality. I have various items that are constantly in use and they still look and feel good. When it comes to the ALÉ Spring clothing, I think all you would need to add are a rain jacket and arm and leg warmers. With those items you’ll be able to keep riding through all but the coldest months.
